Highlights of Phase 3 Lok Sabha Polls: PM Modi and Amit Shah Cast Votes, West Bengal Reports Violence

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah exercised their voting rights in Ahmedabad as Phase 3 of Lok Sabha polls commenced across 93 constituencies. While voting in 10 states proceeded peacefully, West Bengal witnessed sporadic violence.

Accompanied by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Prime Minister Modi cast his vote at Nishan Public School in Ahmedabad’s Ranip locality, urging people to stay hydrated amid the heatwave.

In West Bengal’s Jangipur, clashes erupted following a confrontation between BJP candidate Dhananjay Ghosh and a Trinamool Congress worker, with allegations of voter influence. Additionally, a crude bomb was thrown at a polling station in Uttar Malda’s Ratua.

The NCP lodged a complaint with the Election Commission, objecting to the use of passbooks from Pune District Central Co-Operative Bank and Baramati Co-Operative Bank for voter identification, citing concerns of potential fraud.

Allegations surfaced in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, of pens bearing the BJP’s lotus symbol being used at a polling booth, prompting Gujarat Congress chief Shaktisinh Gohil to accuse the BJP of resorting to unfair tactics due to fear of losing.

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In the 2019 Phase 3 Lok Sabha elections, the BJP secured 72 out of 94 seats, followed by the Congress and Shiv Sena with 4 seats each. Key candidates in this phase include Amit Shah, Jyotiraditya Scindia, and Dimple Yadav.

Notably, the Baramati seat in Maharashtra sees a significant contest between Supriya Sule and Sunetra Pawar, representing different factions of the NCP.

Elections in Surat Lok Sabha seat were canceled after BJP candidate Mukesh Dalal won uncontested, while polling in Anantnag-Rajouri seat in Jammu and Kashmir was postponed to May 25 due to logistical challenges.

Voting is also underway for the Betul Lok Sabha seat in Madhya Pradesh, originally scheduled for Phase 2 but postponed due to the death of a Bahujan Samaj Party candidate.