Preparations are underway at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress Headquarters in Delhi ahead of the counting of votes for Lok Sabha elections 2024 scheduled for Tuesday, June 4. Several workers and staff members are seen bustling about, setting up the area outside the BJP Headquarters. Large cooking utensils and supplies are visible, indicating elaborate arrangements for events tomorrow following the election result announcement.
At both Congress and BJP offices, Workers are installing a large canopy amid preparations for events as both parties gear up for the significant day of vote counting for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections on Tuesday.
At BJP headquarters, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, along with BJP leaders Vinod Tawde, Gaurav Bhatia, and Vinod Tawde, inspected the preparations for the crucial day. Posters and flags have also been erected at the BJP office.
Meanwhile, TMC leader Madan Mitra performed 'yagya' surrounded by photos of party supremo Mamata Banerjee and her nephew Abhishek Banerjee. Supporters are seen holding 'Joy Bangla' banners.
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PM Modi Eyes Historic Third Term Amid I.N.D.I.A's Push for Change
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is aiming for a record-equalling third consecutive term as the counting of votes for the Lok Sabha election commences on Tuesday. This marks the culmination of a comprehensive 80-day polling exercise. While the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) is favoured by most experts, the opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc hopes for a surprising turn of events.
The exit polls unanimously predict a substantial victory for the NDA, suggesting it is closer to achieving Modi’s ambitious goal of 400 seats. In contrast, the I.N.D.I.A. bloc struggles to reach the 180 mark, a mere one-third of the total seats.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has dismissed the exit polls as "Modi media poll", fuelling the already tense post-poll environment. Opposition leaders, raising concerns over the electronic voting machines (EVMs), have accused Modi of using the exit polls to influence the bureaucracy. They have appealed to the Election Commission of India (ECI) to adhere to counting guidelines.
The BJP, in a counter-attack, has accused the opposition of attempting to undermine the integrity of India’s electoral process. BJP leaders have urged the ECI to ensure no violence disrupts the vote counting.
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar, in response to the opposition’s allegations, challenged them to provide evidence of any misconduct in the polling process.
The results will reveal if the Congress can mount a significant challenge to the BJP, following its diminishing presence since 2014. Congress leaders, including president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, have expressed confidence in securing 295 seats, claiming it would mark the end of the Modi era. The I.N.D.I.A. bloc believes its focus on welfare and constitutional integrity will resonate with voters.
Modi, if victorious, will equal Jawaharlal Nehru's record of leading his party to three consecutive electoral wins. The outcome will also impact regional parties like the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Biju Janata Dal (BJD), and YSR Congress, which currently hold power in West Bengal, Odisha, and Andhra Pradesh respectively. Exit polls suggest the BJP could emerge as a formidable force in these states, potentially toppling the incumbent parties.
The election results will also determine the political fate of regional stalwarts like Sharad Pawar and Uddhav Thackeray, and various Union ministers and former chief ministers who contested the polls. The margins of victory for Modi, who contested from Varanasi, and senior cabinet members like Amit Shah and Rajnath Singh, will be closely monitored.