📷 Image Credits: Al Jazeera English
The Lok Sabha elections in India are reaching their climax as Phase 7 is set to take place on June 1, 2024. This phase will see 57 constituencies from eight states and union territories going to the polls, concluding the largest electoral exercise in the world. Voters will have the critical task of deciding the fate of 904 candidates, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, among others.
The states of Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and the union territory of Chandigarh will be participating in this final phase of the elections. Notable battles include Prime Minister Modi seeking a third term from Varanasi, challenging candidates like Ajay Rai from the opposition Congress party and Afzal Ansari in Ghazipur.
In Punjab, the spotlight is on the Khadoor Sahib constituency, traditionally held by the Shiromani Akali Dal but now facing a challenge from Sikh separatist leader Amritpal Singh. The contest in Jalandhar features former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi from the Congress party against candidates from the BJP and AAP.
The election in Diamond Harbour, West Bengal, will witness a contest between TMC’s Abhishek Banerjee, CPI(M)’s Pratikur Rahaman, and BJP’s Abhijit Das. Chandigarh will see a battle between Congress’ Manish Tewari and BJP’s Sanjay Tandon.
As the voting concludes on June 1, all eyes will be on the outcome, with results set to be announced on June 4. The Indian electorate’s decision in this final phase will determine the composition of the 18th Lok Sabha and the trajectory of the country’s leadership for the coming years.
