Lok Sabha Election 2024 Phase 2 Highlights: Tripura's records highest voter turnout with 76.23% till 5 pm, Uttar Pradesh sees lowest turnout

The live blog session has concluded. For more news, views and updates, stay tuned with Moneycontrol.com.

In the second phase of polling, 73.05% of voters turned out in three Lok Sabha constituencies in Chhattisgarh, all of which had a Naxalite presence.

While polling took place under tight security, a police officer on election duty allegedly died by suicide by shooting himself with a service weapon in Gariaband district, according to reports.

"It is extremely good what we are hearing from North, even in the northern Hindi-speaking states. There seems to have been a complete change from 2019 and this attempt by PM Modi to make it a Hindu-Muslim election is not gaining any traction," said Congress leader Shashi Tharoor, who is contesting from the Thiruvananthapuram seat.

“To raise awareness amongst voters and increase our voting percentage, we are carrying out various activities. We are trying to cover all villages and cities. Today we had to travel (in boats) across Gandhi Sagar’s backwaters to reach Sonadi and nearby villages,” says Madhya Pradesh’s Neemuch District Collector Dinesh Jain.

On Friday evening, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led a roadshow in Bareilly, waving to the big audience that had gathered along the route. Standing on a saffron-coloured vehicle decked with flowers, Modi raised an illuminated 'lotus' symbol and waved it at the crowd, many of whom were holding "Abki Baar 400 Paar" signs.
People on both sides of the highway took selfies and showered flower petals at the cavalcade as the prime minister's car passed by. The prime minister was accompanied by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the BJP candidate from Bareilly, Chhatrapal Gangwar.

Karnataka has registered a voter turnout of 63.90% as of 5 p.m. Bengaluru Central and Bengaluru South rank at the bottom of the table. Several initiatives were launched to encourage voting, including complimentary restaurant meals, free rides, and in-patient help in Karnataka. However, instances of violence, such as confrontations were also witnessed in Karnataka in Rajasthan.

West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer Aariz Aftab addressed a press conference in Kolkata and said that Darjeeling's polling percentage was 71.41 until 5 pm Raiganj's polling percentage was 71.87 percent, while Balurghat's was 72.30 percent. So, the poll percentage for the second phase at 5 pm was 71.84.

Tripura- 76.23%
Manipur-76.06%
Chhattisgarh- 72.13%
West Bengal-71.04%
Assam- 70.66%
Jammu and Kashmir-67.22%
Kerala- 63.97%
Karnataka- 63.9%
Rajasthan-59.19%
Madhya Pradesh-54.83%
Maharashtra-53.5%
Bihar-53.03%
Uttar Pradesh-52.64%

Congress leader Mohammed Arif (Naseem) Khan wrote to party president Mallikarjun Kharge, resigning as the party's star campaigner for the remaining stages of the Lok Sabha elections.

"MVA (Maha Vikas Aghadi) has not nominated a single Muslim candidate in Maharashtra. I am upset with the party's unfair decision...," he writes

Phase Two has been too good! Gratitude to the people across India who have voted today. The unparalleled support for NDA is going to disappoint the Opposition even more. Voters want NDA’s good governance. Youth and women voters are powering the strong NDA support, posted PM Narendra Modi on social media platform X.

As the polling in Manipur came to an end, Chief Electoral Officer Pradeep Kumar Jha talked about the violent situations at the polling booth. "Outer Manipur parliamentary constituency, the 13 assembly segments... The voting has remained peaceful... One incident of damage to EVM has been reported so far. We are looking into it and we have been following up with all the districts and they have reported that voting has been peaceful. People have turned out in huge numbers. As compared to the previous elections, the election in the Outer Manipur has been very peaceful... We are very hopeful that by late evening today, we should have a clear picture. Except for one or two incidents, nothing major has happened and voting has been very encouraging. Till the last report that we received about an hour back, the voting percentage was in the range of 75% and no major hiccups were reported," he added.

EVMs and VVPAT devices are being sealed at all the polling booths as voting for the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections comes to an end.

At 5 pm the voter turnout was more than 61% among 13 states and union territories. Manipur, Chhattisgarh, Bengal, Assam, and Tripura recorded more than 70% voter turnout, while Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Maharashtra registered the lowest turnout.

Voting was disrupted and panic erupted at a polling station in Manipur after criminals vandalised Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) and surveillance cameras. The event occurred at the KK Leishi Phanit School in Ukhrul.

During a public rally in Bemetara, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said, " Congress was against the formation of Chhattisgarh, BJP leader and former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee formed Chhattisgarh...within 20 years, 'Bimaru' Chhattisgarh was changed into developed Chhattisgarh by BJP govt..."

Voters lined up at a polling station in Karbi Anglong, an autonomous hill region of Assam. The second phase of voting in Assam's five parliamentary constituencies was held today.

PM Narendra Modi continued saying, "Through the Inheritance Tax, Congress and RJD will loot your wealth and distribute it to their special vote bank. The whole country is worried. Every youth and old parent is worried. The country is saying, 'Congress ki loot, Zindagi ke sath bhi, Zindagi ke baad bhi'... They will loot even after death. RJD is walking shoulder-to-shoulder with the Congress in this scheme..."

Addressing a public rally in Bihar's Munger, PM Modi also spoke about the opposition trying to implement reservation based on religion. "They want to bring reservation based on religion... Supreme Court refused religion-based reservation so they are trying to bring it through the backdoor. In Karnataka, they introduced a law overnight and said that all Muslims are OBC. As a result, the Muslims got a huge part in the 27% reservation for the OBC. They cut the OBC reservation... They want to do the same in the whole country... The RJD is in full support of this. The rights of the OBC are being looted and the RJD is clapping... As long as Modi exists, these people cannot loot the rights of ST, SC, OBC and distribute them on the basis of religion. This is Modi's guarantee..."

PM Narendra Modi said during an election rally in Bihar's Araria Lok Sabha constituency that the Supreme Court's decision on cross-verification of votes was a "tight slap" on the Congress-led opposition, which must "apologise" for committing the "sin of creating distrust" against Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).

He also accused the opposition of attempting to "steal" reservations meant for OBCs, SCs, and STs "for the sake of their preferred Muslim vote bank."

Congress leader Pawan Khera said, "In today's polling, Wayanad is a significant seat and our popular leader Rahul Gandhi is fighting elections from there. Last time, with 4 lakh votes he (Rahul Gandhi) won, this time all victory records will be broken and we can say this with full confidence. I have been to Rajasthan for four days, went through situations; we can say this we are bringing seats in the double-digit more than expected...I remembered you all when I went to Kota, why? because the one who is fighting the election from there is Lok Sabha speaker. People told me that before the 2019 election, after winning around 2014-15 he (Om Birla) said that he is going to fight the election from here only when he would bring the Airport here; 2019 is gone, now 2024 arrived, but the Airport didn't..."

Chief Electoral Officer, Karnataka posted on X saying, "Case is booked against Tejasvi Surya, MP and Candidate of Bengaluru South PC on 25.04.24 at Jayanagar PS u/s 123(3) for posting a video in 'X' handle and soliciting votes on the ground of religion."

Tripura had the greatest voter turnout on Day 2 of voting, with 68.92%, as of 3 pm whereas Maharashtra had the lowest voter turnout out of the 13 states and union territories with 43.01%.

BJP MP and party's North East Delhi candidate Manoj Tiwari said that the party's campaign is going well. "Our campaigning is going really well. Everyday, for two hours, we hold a 'padyatra'. Then, we conduct a 'nukkad' meeting in any selected Lok Sabha ward with 250-300 people. In rallies, there's a one-way connection but, during these meetings, we get to have two-way communication with people," he said.

Voter turnout till 3 pm:

Assam - 60.32%
Bihar - 44.24%
Chhattisgarh- 63.32%
Jammu And Kashmir - 57.76%
Karnataka - 50.93%
Kerala - 51.64%
Madhya Pradesh - 46.50%
Maharashtra - 43.01%
Manipur - 68.48%
Rajasthan - 50.27%
Tripura - 68.92%
Uttar Pradesh - 44.13%
West Bengal - 60.60%

The Supreme Court asked for a response from the Election Commission to Shiv Khera's petition, which seeks fresh elections to be held if NOTA wins the constituency.

Polling in the remaining areas outside the Manipur Lok Sabha constituency continues under strict security.

Voting is underway at 857 polling places throughout 13 assembly segments and eight districts. On April 19, sections of the Outer Manipur seat, encompassing 15 assembly segments, and 32 assembly segments of Inner Manipur went to vote in the first phase of elections.

Actor Yash voted at a polling booth at Government Higher Primary School in Hosakerehalli, Bangalore.

"The government should do what it is supposed to do and it should let people do what they are doing. I think interference should be less. Empowerment should be done, there are so many things, that I expect as a citizen," stated the KGF actor.

As the Supreme Court rejects the appeal for 100% EVM-VVPAT verification, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Saini said,"The Supreme Court knows that; it has been observed by the court as well, however, in a way, opposition spreads false rumours attempting to create confusion among people. The Modi government is working in the favour of people with transparency."

Residents of a village in the Parbhani Lok Sabha seat chose to boycott the elections today to protest against the encroachment issue, forcing the collector to visit the area and plead with them.

On Friday morning, polling began in Marathwada's Hingoli, Nanded, and Parbhani constituencies. Raghunath Gawde, the Parbhani Collector and returning officer visited Balsa Khurd hamlet, about 7 kilometres from Parbhani city, and spoke with the residents, encouraging them to vote.

A large number of voters travelling to Assam’s Barak Valley to cast their votes on Friday were affected when nine trains were cancelled and another seven were terminated while on the way on Thursday night and Friday morning.

ISRO Chairman S Somanath voted at a polling booth in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

More than 40% of voters have turned out by 1 pm in Rajasthan's 13 Lok Sabha seats, where elections are being held in the second phase.

Until 1 pm, 40.39% of voters had turned out in all 13 parliamentary constituencies. According to official data, 51.50 % of the votes were cast in the Bagidora assembly constituency.

An Election Commission official claimed that three Lok Sabha constituencies in West Bengal had over 47% voting by 1 pm in the second phase of election on Friday. Polling is underway in the Darjeeling, Balurghat, and Raiganj constituencies and will continue until 6 pm. Darjeeling had the highest voter turnout at 49.09%, followed by Raiganj at 47.56% and Balurghat at 44.93%, the official stated.

The Election Commission of India reported that 39.13 per cent of voters had cast their votes by 1 pm in the second phase of the election, which is being held in 12 states and one Union Territory.

In the five Lok Sabha constituencies in Bihar where the second round of voting is taking place, officials reported that 33.80% of voters had cast votes as of 1 pm. The polling in the constituencies of Kishanganj, Katihar, Purnia, Bhagalpur, and Banka began at 7 am and would go on till 6 pm, according to the officials.

Uttar Pradesh DGP Prashant Kumar said, "Today in the second phase of Lok Sabha election, voting at 8 parliamentary constituencies in the 9 districts began at 7 am. Peaceful voting is going on. No untoward incident has been reported till now. According to the information received, 24.5 per cent of voting has been recorded. All the personnel on the field are continuously monitoring the situation. As the standards of the EC force have been deployed. In this 239 companies of forces have been deployed...."

NC leader Omar Abdullah and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti urge the EC not to delay elections in the Anantnag-Rajouri Lok Sabha constituency.

On April 26, the Supreme Court dismissed pleas for cross-verification of EVM votes with VVPAT. It proposed electronic vote counting machines and bar codes on voting slips. Microcontroller verification requests can be made within 7 days of poll results declaration. Read more

Assam 46.31%
Bihar 33.80%
Chhattisgarh 53.09%
Jammu And Kashmir 42.88%
Karnataka 38.23%
Kerala 39.26%
Madhya Pradesh 38.96%
Maharashtra 31.77%
Manipur 54.26%
Rajasthan 40.39%
Tripura 54.47%
Uttar Pradesh 35.73%
West Bengal 47.29%

Residents of a village in the Parbhani Lok Sabha constituency decided to boycott the elections on Friday to protest against the issue of encroachments, prompting the collector to visit the place and appeal to them. Polling in Hingoli, Nanded and Parbhani constituencies in Marathwada began on Friday morning.

The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Election Commission of India (ECI) on a plea regarding NOTA. The plea suggests declaring elections null and void if NOTA gets a majority, debarring candidates with fewer votes than NOTA, and improving NOTA's visibility. NOTA allows voters to reject all candidates in an election. Read more

Overall the 88 seats across 13 states recorded 25 % voter turnout till 11 am, according to the Election Commission of India. Chhattisgarh and Tripura recorded over 35% voter turnout while Maharashtra recorded the lowest turnout at over 18.8% polling till 11 am.

A substantial increase was witnessed in voter turnout in Tripura, as the state recorded a 36.42% voting percentage till 11 am, as per the Election Commission of India.

Meanwhile, Chhattisgarh recorded 35.47%voter turnout. Manipur recorded 33.32% and West Bengal recorded 31.25% turnout. At the same time, Thiruvananthapuram recorded 37.20%, Kozhikode- 36.87%, Palakkad- 39.71% and Wayanad- 38.85% voter turnout till 1pm.

After casting his vote, former Indian Cricketer Madan Lal says, "This is a big day for the democracy. People must go out and vote because if you don't, you have no right to criticise any party... The scope of sports in the country is growing, and not just cricket, the government must focus on all sports to encourage young talent..."

Mousumi Ghosh, a polling officer at Surma assembly segment under the East Tripura Parliamentary constituency, was suspended today after she was caught commenting about leaders of a political party on camera. Ghosh is a government clerk at a higher secondary school in Tripura's Dhalai district. She was suspended as per an order from the secondary education directorate as per direction from the East Tripura Parliamentary constituency Returning Officer, an official informed.

5 Lok Sabha seats in Assam register voter turnout of 27.43 percent till 11 am.

“The people want a change in the government; long queues can be seen at the polling booths. It is a one-sided contest here in the state this time,” says former Chhattisgarh CM and Congress candidate from Rajnandgaon, Bhupesh Baghel.

Mysuru’s Maharaja and BJP candidate from Mysuru, Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, cast his vote at a polling booth in Mysuru earlier today.

Thiruvananthapuram-30.59%
Atingal-33.18%
Kollam-30.86%
Pathanamthitta-31.39%
Mavelikkara-31.46%
Alappuzha-32.58%
Kottayam-31.39%
Idukki-31.16%
Ernakulam-30.86%
Chalakudy-32.57%
Thrissur-31.35%
Palakkad-32.58%
Alathur-30.92%
Ponnani-27.20%
Malappuram-29.11%
Kozhikode-30.16%
Wayanad-31.74%
Vadakara-29.53%
Kannur-31.82%
Kasaragod-31.14%

BJP state president Sukanta Majumder has alleged that the TMC was indulging in “hooliganism” in Balurghat, which the ruling party denied.

He says, "Whenever Congress wins, then there is no discussion of EVM and VVPAT... When they won in Himachal Pradesh, did they oppose EVMs... Whenever the opposition (Congress) loses, they blame the EVMs. All these allegations are baseless. It is just their character... I hope we will win more than 400 seats. PM Narendra Modi will be the PM for the 3rd time... The BJP has done the work in the nation. They have increased the number of airports, highways, medical colleges, etc. That's why people support PM Modi..."

Former Chhattisgarh CM Raman Singh says, "... People are coming out and voting across the country in large numbers. I want to urge the people of Rajnandgaon to participate in large numbers in the elections. First-time voters should also vote in large numbers... Former CM is not contesting from Durg but Rajnandgaon because he has no faith in the people of Durg..."

People in village Akarvaas in Block Pahasu, Shikarpur today boycotted voting in polling booth number 199, in Lok Sabha polls. Voting started after the intervention by SDM and CO Shikarpur.

ISRO chief S Somanath queues up along with other votes at a polling station in Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala. "I am very happy to vote today. Each vote counts. Don't hesitate to come out to vote," says ISRO chief S Somanath in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram.

As per the ECI, here is the voter turnout across all 13 states polling today so far:

Karnataka - 22.34%
West Bengal - 31.25%
Assam - 27.43%
UP - 24.31%
Chhattisgarh - 35.47%
MP - 28.15%
Rajasthan - 26.84%
Kerala - 25.61%
Tripura - 36.42%
J&K - 26.61%
Bihar - 21.68%
Maharashtra - 18.83%
Manipur - 33.22%

BJP candidate from Amravati Navneet Rana along with her husband Ravi Rana cast their vote in Lok Sabha polls, at a polling booth in Amravati.

"...First of all, I would like to appeal to the voters to elect a party that stands on its words - for secure and prosperous country and welfare of the poor...After Congress manifesto was released, people's inclination towards BJP has further increased because, in its manifesto, Congress has repeated its old habit of appeasement. Congress manifesto speaks of taking forward Personal Law. I would like to ask Rahul Gandhi, will this country now work as per Sharia?...Our Constitution is secular, laws of the land can't be formed on the basis of religion. BJP has clearly said in its manifesto that it will bring Uniform Civil Code (UCC)...We scrapped Triple Talaq and started UCC & we will take this forward. Rahul Gandhi speaks of Pesonal Law, that is about dividing the country...Personal Laws can't be implemented in this country...I am confident that we will see Narendra Modi as the Prime Minister of the country for the third time," said Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Former PM and JD(S) president HD Deve Gowda says, "...Congress has stopped to this level, having the photo of Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge making promise...This is with the photo of Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi. Is Rahul Gandhi Prime Minister? Is Kharge Chief Minister or Prime Minister? They are only ordinary members of Congress. This is a pamphlet distributed in Karnataka just to mislead and fool the people..."

An altercation took place between West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta Majumdar and TMC workers in Balurghat. Majumdar alleged that a large number of TMC workers are present at a polling booth. On the other hand, “Go back” slogans were also heard against Majumdar.

"I am confident that the people of Alleppey will stand with me. After phase one of the Lok Sabha elections, the PM is panicking. I thank the PM for bringing the Congress manifesto into the public domain in a big way. Our manifesto is for the people whereas BJP's is for Adani and Ambani. In Kerala, UDF will sweep all 20 seats. The way BJP and CPM attacked Rahul Gandhi, the people of Wayanad will show that they are with him," Congress candidate KC Venugopal said.

After voting during the second phase of Lok Sabha elections, Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar applauded his party’s manifesto and said that the state is giving very big results. “Karnataka is going to poll; the state is giving very big results and people are very happy as whatever we said in the last elections we have delivered...Women are cutting across the party line, all of them are favouring us and I thank all of them...For the first-time voters- the youth of this country, I have to say that Congress has put up a beautiful manifesto...You have to make a change as it is needed, you have given 10 years and now let's go for a change," he told ANI.

Union Minister and BJP candidate from Udhampur Dr Jitendra Singh says, "The excitement can be witnessed which is of a successful democracy under PM Modi's leadership and it is also called the biggest festival of democracy."

“Peaceful polling is going on for the second phase of the election. I want to appeal to people to cast their vote to make the country number 1 in development,” says Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav.

More than 10 percent of the over 17.8 lakh eligible electors cast their vote in the first two hours of polling in the second phase of Lok Sabha election in the Jammu constituency.

Google Doodle commemorated the second phase of Lok Sabha elections 2024 with a voting symbol.

After casting his vote, BJP leader Ashok Chavan says, "My appeal to the people is to go and vote in large numbers. Contribute to the democratic process and vote because your vote is important in bringing a strong government... All the misunderstandings have been sorted, there is no doubt among the people. Marathas have got a 10% reservation..."

"I voted with my discretion, to strengthen Indian democracy and the nation. It is our right,” said Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, Peethadhishwar of Bageshwar Dham, after voting.

Darjeeling, West Bengal: Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) chief Bimal Gurung says, "Everyone is excited about the elections because PM Modi ji has done a lot of work for women and all other sections of society. My main agenda is for the Gorkhas. 110% they (BJP) will (over 400 Lok sabha seats)."

Bengal sees highest turnout at 15.68%, Maharashtra lowest at 7.45% till 9 am.

On Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, BJP candidate from Amravati Navnit Ravi Rana said, "What else you can expect from a 52-year-old Rahul Gandhi. Someone who talks about taking away the property of women...Congress people even say that our Rahul Gandhi has become mature now, so if takes 52 years for someone to get mature, then I don't have to say anything about that...For a 52-year-old mature like him (Rahul Gandhi), it will take more 50 years to snatch away the gold and property of women..."

Around 14 percent polling recorded till 9:30 am at 6 Lok Sabha constituencies of Madhya Pradesh, says EC.

Supreme Court junks pleas for paper ballot voting, complete EVM-VVPAT verification and physical deposit of VVPAT slips. SC suggests having electronic machines for counting votes, and bar codes on voting slips.

Manipur 15.49 percent voter turnout recorded till 9 am.

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah shows his inked finger after casting his vote at a polling booth in Siddaramana Hundi village of Chamarajanagar.

"...The excitement within the country and the enthusiasm and optimism among the people for the work of PM Modi in 10 years - going by that we can say that people are blessing the works of the PM and we will receive help in fulfilling the 'Sankalp' of Modi Government within the country. The country wants to see work and PM Modi has given a new direction to the country. His 10-year regime is a golden era in independent India...Today, India is established as a rapidly progressing economy...I believe that when the results come on 4th June, BJP-NDA government will be formed once again under the leadership of PM Modi," said UP CM Yogi Adityanath.

"...This election is about far greater than my own future. It is about India's future. It is about changing the government in Delhi. We are here to restore democracy, restore faith in diversity and restore India's pluralism...The Left also claims they are also critical of BJP but they they've never said a world against BJP."," said Congress leader Shashi Tharoor after casting his vote

Don't be swayed by diversionary tactics, come out and vote to protect democracy, says Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge to voters.

11.78 percent polling recorded till 9:00 am at 13 Lok Sabha constituencies in the state. 9.3 % voter turnout till 9 am in 88 seats.

BJP candidate from Kota Om Birla casts his vote in a school in the Shakti Nagar area of Kota. Congress has fielded Prahlad Gunjal against BJP's Om Birla in Kota. Rajasthan is voting on 13 seats today in the second phase.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, who is contesting from Kerala’s Wayanad, took to microblogging site X and urged people to vote. He stressed that it was “the duty of every citizen to step out of their homes today and become a ‘soldier of the Constitution’ and vote to protect democracy”. All 20 Lok Sabha seats in Kerala are voting today in the second phase of Lok Sabha polls.

Maharashtra records the lowest turnout with 7.45%, and Tripura sees the highest with 16.65% till 9 am.

"Purnea will write history, it will also give an answer to hatred...leaders from all political parties come together to finish Pappu Yadav but voters have come together for Pappu. Delhi and Patna have united. There were attempts to finish me...." says Independent candidate from Purnea, Pappu Yadav.

BJP candidate from Mathura Lok Sabha seat Hema Malini says, "It is going good so far. It is 100% better than the first phase because our party workers are working hard and even I appealed to the people personally to come out and vote and people are coming out in large numbers to vote. I am very sure everything is going to be good... We were anyway going good, but with the 'gathbandhan' we are going to perform twice as well..."

As voting is underway in eight constituencies including Meerut in Uttar Pradesh, BJP candidate from Meerut, Arun Govil said, “I want to tell people to cast their vote. We must exercise our vote….I was born and brought up and even did my studies here, so how am I an outsider?”

BJP candidate from Bengaluru South Tejasvi Surya says, "Today is a celebration day in Karnataka. it is a festival of democracy. Millions of people will go out and vote... This is not just a right, but also a duty, because if we don't vote, we are not registering our voice, and contributing meaningfully to a democracy... Just like every year, more senior citizens are seen at the booths, they are coming out in big numbers to vote. I wish young people draw inspiration from senior citizens and also come out in big numbers and vote... Congress party has become absolutely frustrated. Survey after survey shows that it may not win more than 30 seats... The more personal attacks and baseless allegations they make against the PM, history has shown that the Prime Minister has only gotten stronger and the BJP has only gotten popular... The fact that Mallikarjun Kharge wants to meet the Prime Minister to explain his party manifesto indicates that perhaps even the Congress realises that it will be the PM who will implement some good ideas that may be present in the Congress manifesto... Perhaps this is the admission of Congress that they are not coming anywhere near power for the next two decades."

The BJP has accused people associated with the Trinamool Congress (TMC) of threatening to kill BJP workers and rape women if they don't hand over the booth to their party immediately. The complaint has been lodged in Patiram Girls High School, Tapan, Balurghat Booth 100, according to reports.

"The polling is predominantly peaceful till now. We have received complaints from a few places about booth jamming by TMC; they are threatening people to vote against the BJP. I am going to those booths,” says West Bengal BJP chief Sukanta

Senior and Junior Swamijis of Sri Palimaru Matha and the senior Swamiji of Udupi Shri Adamaru Matha cast their votes in Udupi.

Former Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot and his family show their inked fingers after casting their votes at a polling booth in Jodhpur. His son Vaibhav Gehlot is a candidate from Jalore Lok Sabha seat.

Congress president Malikarjun Kharge said the ongoing election is not an ordinary election but an election to protect democracy from the clutches of dictatorship. “We, the people of India' - this soul of the Constitution of India, should reverberate in your hearts and minds, before you push the voting button. Do not forget that this is not an ordinary election. It is an election to protect Democracy from the clutches of Dictatorship. To all my dear citizens, from 89 Constituencies in 13 States and UTs, do not get swayed by any diversionary tactics and lies. Always make your vote count," Kharge said in his message to voters on X.

“I voted for change, I voted against hate. I voted for the leader who will be my voice in Parliament,' says actor Prakash Raj after voting in Bengaluru.

Rajasthan: BJP candidate from Kota, Om Birla says, "This is not a fight to save the constitution, the constitution is in good hands. They are just spreading lies. Social structure and social reservation will remain intact... The airport will definitely be constructed. The state government had not paid dues for nine months, but as soon as Bhajanlal Sharma became the CM, the Rajasthan government deposited the money within 20 days. Airport construction will begin after a DPR is formed..."

Congress leaders Venkataramane Gowda, DK Suresh and BJP leader Hema Malini are the three richest candidates in the fray in the second phase of Lok Sabha Elections. Gowda, the candidate from Mandya in Karnataka has declared assets worth Rs 623 crore. Suresh, the candidate from Bangalore Rural has assets worth Rs 593 crore while Hema Malini, who is contesting from Mathura, has declared assets worth Rs 279 crore.

"This election is definitely on the grounds that people want stable, good leadership to take over. It can't be on the grounds that I don't like somebody so I don't want that somebody. Political parties will have to give good proposals," said Nirmala Sitharaman.

Voting commenced at 7 am on Friday for seven Lok Sabha seats in the Northeast, despite warnings of rain and unfavorable weather conditions from the IMD. This inclement weather might disrupt the second phase of polling in certain constituencies. About 77.09 lakh voters are registered from Assam.

"Urging everyone in constituencies voting today, in the second phase of the Lok Sabha elections, to participate in record numbers. A high voter turnout strengthens our democracy. I especially urge our young voters and women voters to turn out in great numbers. Your vote is your voice!" said Modi in a post on X.

Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister, Arrives with Father to Cast Votes at BES Polling Booth in Bengaluru for Lok Sabha Elections' Second Phase in Karnataka

"Once in every five years, we get an opportunity to execute the right given by our constitution, to chose whatever candidate from whichever party he/she is, to govern us. Today is a very happy day. Today is the day when we should all be enthusiastic to exercise our power," the Infosys founder said.

Lok Sabha Election 2024 Live Updates: Rahul Gandhi expected to contest against Smriti Irani in Amethi, Priyanka eyeing Raebareli

According to sources cited by News18, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi might run in the Lok Sabha elections from Amethi following the conclusion of polling in Wayanad, Kerala, today. Additionally, it's reported that the party is considering fielding his sister Priyanka Gandhi from Raebareli, the constituency previously held by their mother Sonia Gandhi. Sonia Gandhi stepped down earlier this year after entering the Rajya Sabha. Sources suggest that the final decision regarding these two Uttar Pradesh constituencies will be made after April 26, with nominations expected to be submitted next week. Read more

Voters line up at a polling station in Thrissur as Kerala participates in the Lok Sabha polls across all 20 parliamentary constituencies today. Similarly, in Balurghat, West Bengal, voters queue outside a polling station for the second phase of Lok Sabha polls, commencing at 7 am. West Bengal, with 42 constituencies, votes on three parliamentary seats today.