Lok Sabha Election 2024 Highlights: BJP to win 24-30 seats in Bengal, 17 each in Odisha and Andhra, says Amit Shah

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One day after polls were held, the penultimate stage of the 2024 Lok Sabha election saw 63.36 per cent of voters turn out. The fifth phase of voting had the lowest turnout of the six polling stages conducted thus far, at 62.2%. 58 seats spread across eight states and Union territories were up for election on Saturday in the sixth phase.

On Sunday, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made fun of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal by remarking that while he had heard of "work from home," he had never heard of "work from jail."

"Here, AAP is the ruling party," Singh declared while speaking at a Khanna election rally in support of BJP candidate Gejja Ram Valmiki for Fatehgarh Sahib. You don't need to be told much about what kind of work it is doing."

According to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, the Naxal threat would be eradicated nationwide within the next two to three years, with the exception of a small area in Chhattisgarh.

Shah said that there are no Maoists in the so-called Naxal corridor, which runs from Pashupatinath to Tirupati, in a late-Saturday interview with PTI.

While addressing a public meeting, Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "We call the elections of Lok Sabha as the 'festival of Democracy'... The results will come on June 4, and PM Modi will become the Prime Minister for the 3rd time. In the 6th and 7th phases of polling, we are moving towards the target of '400 paar'... Punjab is very close to the heart of PM Modi. When he was here, he was speaking from his heart. It shows how close Punjab is to the heart of PM Modi. We need to give good support to PM Modi from Punjab..."

“This is a big contest because the BJP wants to change the Constitution. Seeing the ‘bumper votes’ given to INDIA bloc in the sixth phase, their voice is faltering. They don’t have an answer as to why they sold airports, railway stations, LIC and Allahabad Bank. Where will one get employment and reservation?” said Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav.

Jharkhand Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) K Ravi Kumar commented on the polling held yesterday saying, “The overall voting in Jharkhand was 65.4 per cent (in the sixth phase). When compared to 2019, there is a slight increase of about one per cent."

“Both the parties (JDS and BJP) have decided to continue our alliance even for future elections. We will jointly fight even the Member of Legislative Council elections. We are fully in support of the legal move that the Centre is taking against Prajwal Revanna; we welcome it,” said former Karnataka CM and JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar spoke during an event in Varanasi saying, “I do not have a message for the people of Varanasi, it is indeed the people here giving a message to the entire country. On June 4, the BJP-led government will return to power at Centre for the third time, with more than 400 seats. Varanasi will contribute heavily toward the government formation. The people of this country believe in ‘Modi Guarantee’ and have seen the work of our government for the last 10 years, they are voting for us and on June 4 we will form the government."

Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra during a speech in Chandigarh said, "While unemployment is the most important national issue, inflation is the second most important national issue. Have you (people) ever listened to PM Modi talk about this? He talks about women empowerment and says that he provided 33 per cent reservation to women. But does he talk about inflation?"

Congress implemented Muslim reservation in Karnataka, Andhra under OBC quota; BJP will protect reservation for OBCs, said Union Home Minister Amit Shah in an interview with PTI.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the BJP is expected to secure 24-30 seats in Bengal, and 17 seats each in Odisha and Andhra (with partners); it would establish governments in both states.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge took a dig at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his "mujra" remark directed at opposition politicians. Kharge claimed that Modi "insulted Bihar" with this statement.

Speaking at a rally in support of Congressman and Mahagathbandhan candidate Manoj Kumar from the Sasaram Lok Sabha district, Kharge remarked, "PM used mujra words for opposition leaders in an election rally in Bihar on Friday…Modi ji insulted Bihar by using this word…it means mujra happens here. This is an insult to Bihar and its electorates."

PM Narendra Modi addressed rally in Bansgaon saying, "...Those 3 crore poor who will get pucca houses, elderly people above 70 years of age who will get free treatment of up to Rs 5 lakhs, crores of youth who will be benefitted out of Mudra scheme, those 3 crore sisters of self-help groups who will become 'Lakhpati didi' and crores of people who will be getting free electricity under PM Surya Ghar scheme are waiting for June 4..."

Rahul Gandhi said, "The PM was asked about rich getting richer and poor getting poorer, he responded by saying that should he make everyone poor. He should give the same opportunity to farmers, labourers, unemployed youths as he gives to 'Arabpatis'. An affluent minor kills a person by his Porsche car. He was asked to write essay by a court. The court doesn't say this to poor drivers. Modi ji waived money amounting 24 years of money of MNREGA of 22 'Arabpatis'. He gives airport to Adani, the inquiries end. If a youth wants to start his business, the banks do not give them loan. I want to know what has he done for farmers. He calls farmers terrorists. I wasn't allowed to speak in the Parliament."

On BJP's MLA candidate from Khorda Prashant Jagdev's arrest, BJD leader Sasmit Patra said, "... A person who was thrown out of the BJD for such criminal activities of trying to run over BJP supporters at that time in a drunken state with his car, who had assaulted the then BJP town president of Khorda... had recently also declared in a press meet that on the eve of the polling day he would attack police stations and the collector's office. Such people are now the poster boys of violence in Odisha BJP. We thank the Election Commission of India for taking the necessary steps to arrest such a person. We hope that such recurrences of violence by Odisha BJP leaders and candidates do not happen in the last phase (of elections)..."

RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in which he said, "We have informed him about the facts. We are showing facts. BJP supporters are also not liking the language of PM Modi. INDIA alliance government is coming on June 4. We are going '300 paar'."

Congress guarantees are never meant to be met; Guarding OBC reservation is our vow... EVM row is a ploy to cover up Rahul Gandhi's failure, said Amit Shah in an interview with PTI.

While addressing public in Bihar's Karakat, Home Minister Amit Shah said, "Six phases of elections have concluded. PM Modi has already won 310 seats in five phases. The sixth and seventh phases are to cross the number beyond 400. You should elect our candidate Upendra Kushwaha, it will make Narendra Modi the Prime Minister. On one hand, you have corrupt INDI alliance and on the other, you have clean Narendra Modi. On one hand, you have a leader born with silver spoon - Rahul Gandhi and on the other you have a leader who sold tea - Narendra Modi."

Addressing an election rally in Bihar's Karakat, Home Minister and BJP leader Amit Shah stated, "Six phases of elections have concluded. PM Modi has already won 310 seats in five phases. The sixth and seventh phases are to cross the number beyond 400. You should elect our candidate Upendra Kushwaha, it will make Narendra Modi the Prime Minister."

He contrasted the BJP and its opponents, saying, "On one hand, you have corrupt INDI alliance and on the other, you have clean Narendra Modi. On one hand, you have a leader born with silver spoon - Rahul Gandhi and on the other you have a leader who sold tea - Narendra Modi."

People who support rioters and shed tears for mafias should not be allowed to set foot in Purvanchal, PM Modi stated in Mau, Uttar Pradesh. He further accused the INDIA alliance of SP and Congress of trying to weaken the nation by creating divisions, saying, INDIA alliance of SP, Congress wants different communities to fight among themselves and get weak.

Addressing the 'Nyay Sankalp Sabha' in Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, "Remember your life struggles. Remember that there is no surety of PM Modi. The laws they (BJP) thought of implementing would have affected you badly. Look what they have done to the farmers of Himachal Pradesh. Farmers there used to produce and export apples but they (BJP) gave all the cold storage to Adani."

Rahul Gandhi has unveiled plans to address unemployment by offering 30 lakh government job vacancies to India's youth. Additionally, he introduced the 'Pehli Naukri Pakki Adhikar' program, guaranteeing one year of assured employment to graduates.

Addressing an election rally in Himachal Pradesh, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi criticized PM Modi's loan waivers, stating, PM Modi waived loans worth Rs 16 lakh-crore of 22 people in 10 years but couldn't give Rs 9,000 crore for HP monsoon disaster. He also expressed skepticism towards the media, remarking, media has lost its credibility.

Furthermore, Gandhi promised support for farmers, pledging to implement MSP and farm loan-waivers. He assured that poor families would receive Rs 1 lakh annually until they are lifted above the poverty line.

PM Modi handed over all storage facilities to one person to control prices of apple. PM Modi waived loans worth Rs 16 lakh-crore of 22 people in 10 years but couldn't give Rs 9,000 crore for HP monsoon disaster, Rahul Gandhi said at the rally.

"The country has come to know the Indie Alliance people very well. These people are extremely communal. These people are extremely racist. These people are extreme nepotists," PM Modi said in his speech. He accused the INDIA bloc of making decisions based on communal and nepotistic biases whenever they are in power.

Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal and Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann will hold a roadshow in Hoshiarpur at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.

Addressing a public meeting in Patna, Bihar CM Nitish Kumar criticized the RJD's past governance, stating, "Earlier, even if they (RJD) got the opportunity before we (NDA) came to power in 2005, what was there? Was anyone getting out of their homes? There was fear. No one had this courage. Fewer children had access to education... They got the opportunity but they did nothing. We have done so much work, be it in health, education, or any other sector."

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi will address public meetings in Himachal Pradesh today, speaking in Nahan (Shimla) at 11:45 a.m. and Una (Hamirpur) at 1:40 p.m.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar has arrived in Varanasi to attend several programmes scheduled for today.

Home Minister Amit Shah is set to speak at public meetings in Bihar and Punjab today.

Asaduddin Owaisi, AIMIM chief, accuses PM Modi of insulting Muslims by suggesting "mangalsutras" and quotas would be taken away by the INDIA bloc. Owaisi vows to prevent Modi's third term.

AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of insulting Muslims by suggesting that "mangalsutras" and quotas for deprived castes would be taken away by the INDIA bloc and given to the community. Speaking at an election rally in the Karakat Lok Sabha constituency of Bihar, Owaisi vowed to ensure that Modi did not secure a third consecutive term, criticizing what he termed "scaremongering in the name of Hindus and Muslims, temples and mosques."

On May 25, Mamata Banerjee accused the BJP of unleashing terror in Purba Medinipur, a stronghold of her rival Suvendu Adhikari, and killing a TMC worker. "Even yesterday, they (BJP) killed an active member of our party at Mahisadal in Purba Medinipur district. Sensing defeat in the polls, they are resorting to killing and attacking people and TMC workers. But we will resist their bid," said Banerjee.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address election meetings in Mirzapur, Ghosi, and Bansgaon in Uttar Pradesh on May 26. Home Minister Amit Shah will speak at three rallies, two in Bihar and one in Punjab. BJP chief J.P. Nadda is scheduled for three rallies in Jehanabad, Bhojpur, and Nalanda in Bihar.

Meanwhile, the Congress has focused on Himachal Pradesh. Rahul Gandhi will address two rallies today, following Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge's rally in Rohru, Himachal Pradesh, yesterday.

As Phase 6 of the Lok Sabha elections concluded, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed optimism about the BJP-led NDA alliance's performance. On X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, "I thank all those who have voted in the penultimate phase of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. NDA's numbers are looking better and better. People have realised that since INDI Alliance is coming nowhere close to power, voting for it is futile."

Phase 6 of the Lok Sabha elections was marred by violence and EVM malfunctions. In West Bengal, reports emerged of violence, including an alleged assault on a BJP candidate, along with minor clashes and protests. Delhi also faced disruptions due to instances of EVM malfunctioning at various polling locations.

Chief Electoral Officer PK Pole announced that Jammu and Kashmir saw an overall voter turnout of 58% in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. The Anantnag-Rajouri constituency, which voted today, recorded a 53% turnout. This concluded polling for all five Lok Sabha seats in the Union Territory. The highest turnout was in the Surankote assembly segment, while Kulgam had the lowest.

The Election Commission of India revealed that voter turnout in the first three phases of the Lok Sabha elections was lower than in 2019. Phase 3 on May 7 had a 65.68% turnout, down from 66.58% in 2019. Phase 2 on April 26 saw 66.71%, compared to 69.43% in 2019. Phase 1 on April 19 recorded 66.14%, less than the 69.29% turnout in 2019. The ECI also condemned false narratives aimed at undermining the electoral process.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) released voter data for the first five phases of the Lok Sabha elections on Saturday, criticizing the spread of false narratives intended to disrupt the electoral process. The first three phases saw lower turnout compared to 2019, but participation increased from Phase 4 onward. The fifth phase, held on May 20, had a 62.2% turnout, slightly higher than the 61.82% in 2019. The fourth phase, on May 13, recorded a 69.16% turnout, up from 68.8% in 2019.

West Bengal saw the highest voter turnout at 80% in Phase 6 of the Lok Sabha elections. Jharkhand followed with 63.76%, and Odisha recorded 71%. Haryana had a 62% turnout, while Delhi saw 58.3%. Bihar and Uttar Pradesh recorded 55.24% and 54.03% respectively. The Anantnag-Rajouri seat in Jammu and Kashmir had a 54.46% turnout, the highest since 1984.

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