New Delhi: As India progresses through its monumental 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the sixth phase is poised to be a pivotal moment with voting scheduled for 58 seats across seven states and one union territory on Saturday, 25th May. The Anantnag-Rajouri seat in Jammu and Kashmir, initially slated for the third phase, will now see ballots cast in this round due to a prior postponement.
In a significant political showdown, three Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Krishna Pal Singh Gurjar, and Rao Inderjit Singh are vying for re-election. They are joined by high-profile candidates such as Mehbooba Mufti, Manohar Lal Khattar, and Jagdambika Pal, adding to the electoral fervor. This phase also witnesses a mix of seasoned politicians and celebrities, including Manoj Tiwari, Maneka Gandhi, Naveen Jindal, Bansuri Swaraj, Sambit Patra, Raj Babbar, and Nirahua, each hoping to secure a seat in the esteemed assembly.
The Election Commission has confirmed 889 candidates contesting in this phase, comprising 797 male and 92 female contenders. However, a report by the Association for Democratic Reform (ADR) casts a shadow with 183 candidates facing criminal charges.
Wealth also takes center stage, as 39% of the candidates, numbering 343, are declared crorepatis, possessing assets exceeding Rs 1 crore. In stark contrast, one candidate’s assets amount to a mere Rs 2. The spotlight shines on Naveen Jindal, the BJP candidate from Haryana’s Kurukshetra seat, who stands as the wealthiest with a staggering declaration of assets worth Rs 1241 crore.
Reflecting on the past, the BJP emerged victorious in the 2019 elections, securing 40 seats, while the BSP, BJD, SP, JDU, TMC, LJP, and AJSU also made gains. Conversely, the Congress and AAP failed to win any seats. Currently, the Election Commission’s schedule has seen 429 out of 543 Lok Sabha seats go to polls until the fifth phase. By the conclusion of the 25th May voting, the tally will reach 487 seats. The showdown awaits in the seventh phase, where the remaining 56 seats will determine the ultimate composition of India’s governing body. The nation holds its breath as the electoral drama unfolds, leading to the much-anticipated results day on June 4.
