In the second phase of polling for the Lok Sabha elections, 88 seats across 13 states and Union Territories are underway. Popular candidates such as Rahul Gandhi, Tejasvi Surya, Hema Malini, and Shashi Tharoor are contesting in key constituencies like Wayanad, Bangalore South, and Thiruvananthapuram. Stay informed about the latest updates and voting trends in regions like Kerala, Karnataka, Noida, and West Bengal through News18's real-time coverage.
India General Elections 2024: Phase 2 Underway, Key Contests to Watch
The second phase of polling for the Lok Sabha elections is currently underway, with 88 seats across 13 states and Union Territories up for grabs. Among the key candidates contesting in this phase are Rahul Gandhi, Tejasvi Surya, Hema Malini, and Shashi Tharoor.
Background
The Lok Sabha, India's lower house of parliament, is composed of 543 elected members serving for a term of five years. The general elections to the Lok Sabha are held in multiple phases to ensure that the entire country is covered. The first phase of polling was held on April 11, and the remaining phases will be conducted on May 12, May 19, and May 23.
Key Contests
Some of the most closely watched contests in this phase include:
States and Union Territories
The second phase of polling covers the following states and Union Territories:
Top 5 FAQs
1. What is the schedule for the remaining phases of polling?
2. When will the results of the elections be announced?
3. Who are the key candidates contesting in the elections?
4. What are the major issues in the elections?
5. How can I get updates on the latest election news?
A video of a man claiming to be a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang has surfaced, in which he accuses politician Baba Siddique of having connections with notorious criminal Dawood Ibrahim. According to the man, Siddique was not a good man and had been charged under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act. He also provided details about the inner workings of the Bishnoi gang, including how they are contacted and recruited. However, the man in the video, Yogesh alias Raju, was recently arrested in connection to a different murder case and is not a named suspect in Siddique's murder. The Mumbai Police have arrested 10 individuals in connection to Siddique's case.
Former Maharashtra minister Baba Siddique was fatally shot outside his son's office in Mumbai on Saturday evening. Two suspects have been detained and the case has been handed over to the crime branch. Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has promised to ensure the arrest of all those involved, while the Opposition has condemned the state's "deteriorating" law and order situation, blaming the government for supporting criminals.
A meeting of the Joint Parliamentary Committee discussing the Waqf (Amendment) Bill turned chaotic when Trinamool Congress MP Kalyan Banerjee broke a glass bottle in response to an objection from a BJP MP. Banerjee has been suspended from the meeting for his behavior and opposition members walked out in protest. This is not the first instance of heated arguments over the contentious bill, leading to tension between ruling and opposition members.
Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin, grandson of legendary politician Kalaignar, sticks to his statement comparing Sanatan Dharma to dengue and malaria. He defends it as a call to address the mistreatment of women in the Hindu religion and echoes the views of prominent Dravidian leaders. Despite facing protests and legal action, he refuses to apologize, stating he stands by his words.
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Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin has sparked a debate over population control laws by encouraging state residents to consider having more children. This comes after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu recently proposed incentives for families to have more children, citing concerns over an ageing population and reduced political influence. The remark by Stalin has also raised questions about the delimitation process and its potential impact on southern states.
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Indigenous Australian senator Lidia Thorpe caused a stir on Monday when she harshly heckled King Charles during his visit to the Australian Parliament House in Canberra. As she was escorted out of the chamber, Thorpe continued to shout anti-colonial slogans, demanding the return of land that was taken from her people. The confrontation was captured on video and quickly went viral, causing shock and outrage among lawmakers and other dignitaries present.
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At a mass marriage event in Chennai, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin referenced a Tamil adage and expressed concern over the impact of the Lok Sabha delimitation exercise on family planning. He urged couples to continue giving Tamil names to their children and reminded them that the traditional saying about acquiring 16 types of wealth does not refer to having 16 children. This comes just days after Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu controversially advocated for women to have more children to stabilize the population in his state.