As the Lok Sabha Elections 2024 begin with the first phase of voting, the opposition INDIA bloc has raised questions about the performance of the ruling BJP government. They have accused the government of neglecting border security, orchestrating scams, and failing to address issues like unemployment and inflation. Meanwhile, Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has reassured voters about the safety and integrity of Electronic Voting Machines as voters turn out in large numbers to participate in the "festival of democracy". Congress leader Sachin Pilot has also predicted that the INDIA alliance will surpass the majority mark of 272 seats, with the Congress winning more seats than the BJP in Rajasthan.
India's 2024 Lok Sabha Elections: A Battle for the Future
As India gears up for its 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the political landscape is witnessing a heated contest between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition alliance, INDIA. The elections, scheduled to be held in seven phases from April 11 to May 19, promise to be a pivotal moment for the nation's democratic future.
Opposition Questions BJP's Governance
The INDIA bloc, led by the Indian National Congress, has launched a scathing attack on the BJP government's performance. They have accused the ruling party of:
BJP Defends Record
The BJP, however, has vehemently defended its record, claiming that it has taken decisive steps to ensure national security, promote economic growth, and improve the lives of its citizens. The ruling party has also pointed to its successful implementation of policies such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana.
Election Commission Assures Fair Voting
Chief Election Commissioner Rajiv Kumar has emphasized the safety and integrity of the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) that will be used in the elections. He has assured voters that all measures have been taken to prevent fraud and ensure a transparent voting process.
Congress Confident of Victory
Congress leader Sachin Pilot has expressed confidence that the INDIA alliance will surpass the majority mark of 272 seats in the Lok Sabha. He has predicted that the Congress will win more seats than the BJP in the key state of Rajasthan.
Top 5 FAQs and Answers Related to Lok Sabha Elections
1. When will the Lok Sabha elections be held?
2. How many phases will the elections have?
3. Which alliance is challenging the BJP?
4. What are the main issues in the elections?
5. What measures are being taken to ensure fair voting?
AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal has accused the BJP of "desperately manipulating" voter lists and "eroding democracy" in Delhi elections. He also addressed the issue of misuse of central probe agencies and referenced his letter to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat. While speaking, Kejriwal alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has inducted corrupt leaders into his party using various tactics. The chief minister and other politicians expressed confidence that the people of Delhi will not fall for the BJP's conspiracies and will re-elect Kejriwal as the chief minister. However, California has taken some steps towards addressing racial disparities and discrimination, but direct cash payments to descendants of enslaved people have not been introduced yet.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has been named as the primary accused in an alleged scam in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA). The FIR was filed by the Lokayukta police following a court order, and named Siddaramaiah's wife and another individual as secondary accused. This comes after the Karnataka Governor initiated an investigation against the CM for alleged irregularities in land allotment. Siddaramaiah has denied any wrongdoing and refuses to step down from his position.
During her visit to Puducherry, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman met with Chief Minister N. Rangasamy to discuss the latter's request for special financial assistance. Sitharaman advised the Puducherry government to prepare a detailed sector-wise report for consideration, pointing out the practical difficulties in conceding to the request. However, she promised to prioritize assistance for infrastructure projects and consider requests for assistance from industrial houses looking to set up units in Puducherry. The meeting was also attended by Speaker R. Selvam, Home Minister A. Namassivayam, and BJP legislators.
Activist Snehamayi Krishna, who has been fighting against the misuse of power by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, received a copy of the FIR from the Lokayukta in Mysuru on Friday. The complaint by Mr. Krishna has been upheld as the Supreme Court and has been transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The activist is confident in proving his allegations with documentary evidence and ensuring that illegal sites allotted by officials are surrendered in the MUDA scam.
Former Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu visited the Ramanarayanam Theme Park in Vizianagaram and inaugurated the Valmiki Ramayana Research Centre. He praised Lord Srirama's ethical and moral values and encouraged youth to learn from his life. Naidu also emphasized the importance of Ramayana as a guide for personality development and called for a society without corruption and discrimination similar to the ideal Ramrajya.
Former Vice-President of India Muppavarapu Venkaiah Naidu emphasized the concept of equal dharma for all and urged politicians to not disrespect dharma for their vote bank. He inaugurated the Valmiki Research Centre on Ramayana and also participated in the Sri Ramayana Sankharavam conclave. During his visit to Korukonda Sainik School, he stressed the importance of preserving mother tongue and cultural heritage and promoting national unity through learning Hindi.
The central government has announced a marginal hike in minimum wages for workers in the informal sector, effective from October 1. This move, which is part of an adjustment in the Variable Dearness Allowance, aims to alleviate the impact of rising living costs. The announcement comes amid protests calling for higher wages and the repeal of four labour codes. Additionally, Delhi Chief Minister Atishi has also announced new minimum wage rates, which are the highest in the country, for workers in the unorganised sector.
Himachal Pradesh minister Vikramaditya Singh met with Congress general secretary KC Venugopal to discuss party and organizational activities amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the mandatory display of identity cards by street vendors in the state. The minister emphasized that it is their duty to protect the interests of Himachal and stated that the all-party committee formed on the issue will discuss and brainstorm a solution. The state government clarified that no decision has been made to make it mandatory for street vendors to display their identity cards, stating that the cabinet will take a final decision after considering the committee's report and feedback from the people.
In a disturbing turn of events, armed men claiming to be police raided the home of Daily News editor Guthrie Munyuki in Zimbabwe, after an error in an advert suggested President Emmerson Mnangagwa had died. The men temporarily detained Munyuki's family and examined their communications, causing alarm and concern among journalists and citizens alike. The incident highlights the dangerous suppression of press freedom and the climate of fear and intimidation in the country's political state.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is accusing ABC News of violating an agreement made with his campaign during the recent presidential debate, where he faced off against Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump specifically targeted moderator David Muir for fact-checking his statements, while allowing Harris to go unchallenged. Despite Trump's dissatisfaction with the moderation, he has not yet confirmed if he will participate in any future debates.